New record label to emerge in Leeds...

This article was published in 2004.

A new Leeds-based record label - "Performing Chimp Records" - was officially launched at the start of this month with the release of its first title onto the streets of the city - the album Hypertension by local guitar-maestro Jon Gomm.

The label is to be run with a music-not-money policy, and will judge its own success by the quality of its output, not profit margins. The artist has total creative freedom, and will receive all the financial rewards of their success.

Two other Leeds artists have already been snapped up - emerging singer/songwriter Gary Stewart, who has been wowing audiences nationwide with his songwriting skills, and whose debut album is due for release in July; and funk-rock-jazz-popsters Gallo, who are currently recording. One Manchester band, Love Panda - the pioneers of the genre "strum 'n' bass" - have an EP set for release on the label this month.